June has been a berry busy month at the farm! The pick-your-own turnout has been great, and we hope you’ll continue to visit us throughout the season. So far our customers have enjoyed strawberries and cherries. Now we’re putting the spotlight on two more delicious summer favorites: blueberries and black raspberries.

First things first: Do you know that black raspberries are not the same as blackberries? It’s hard to tell unless you know what to look for: Like red raspberries, the black variety are hollow in the middle, unlike blackberries, which have a white core.

Blueberries and black raspberries are unique. They have definitive flavors in delicate packages. With these berries, the skins aren’t as sturdy as you’ll find in a strawberry or cherry, and this makes a difference in how we handle and eat them. For example, you don’t slice or cut blueberries or black raspberries. That’s okay, because who has time for that when you can pop them in your mouth and chomp away! All in all, every berry is delicious in its own right, and we like to highlight the special characteristics of each.

When it comes to blueberries and black raspberries, the first recipes that come to mind are muffins and cobblers. They’re the go-to choices for a reason: the recipes are simple and the results are crowd pleasers. But these berries are too bold to be held to tradition. You’ll find them in all sorts of preparations, like compotes and sauces, both sweet and savory; granola; scones; salads, and more. To give your berry-eating a boost this summer, we found a couple recipes with a twist:

We saved the best for last: Don’t tell the kids, but eating blueberries and black raspberries is good for your health! Both types of berries are high in cancer-fighting antioxidants and have beneficial effects for managing diabetes. Blueberries have been shown to support bone health with iron and zinc and they can help lower blood sugar due to their potassium, calcium, and magnesium content. Because of anthocyanins, which are compounds that give them their nearly black color, black raspberries help maintain eye health and help prevent colon cancer.

Now that we’ve told you how our berries are delicious, versatile, and healthy, there’s nothing left except to enjoy. Come on down to the farm and fill your buckets and your bellies!

Welcome to the second week of June! Here at the farm, we’re gearing up for the cherry harvest. Mid June is time for sweet cherries. Later this month, tart cherries will be ready to roll. Due to the frosts this spring, we will have our cherries pre-picked in the market to sell. There will not be enough for the pick-your-own season. Mark your calendars; sweet cherries are expected around June 10 and tart cherries should be here by June 20.

Get ready to chomp on cherries!

$6.75/quart $3.49/pint $47.99/8 quart flat

How do you use our produce?

From spring through summer and early fall, our fields and market are filled with farm-fresh goodness—berries, fruit, and select veggies. Do you gobble up your stash in one sitting, or do you pace yourself to make it last longer? While we know our goodies—the juicy fruits especially—are hard to resist, we figure you occasionally end up with leftovers. If you use the appropriate methods, you can keep your produce from spoiling too quickly.

When you buy produce, it’s good to plan ahead how you’ll use it. This way, you can use the most perishable items first. With the items that last longer, you have more freedom with usage. So, for example, if you decide you don’t want sweet potatoes for dinner Wednesday, you’re in the clear because sweet potatoes last a long time.

All fruits and veggies aren’t created equal in terms of how long they’ll last. Storage method affects spoilage rate. Some fruits and veggies thrive in cool, dry areas, like the fridge or a dark cabinet, while others need to be kept at room temperature. Then there’s something called ethyline gas, which is emitted by some types of produce and creates sensitivity in others. Make sure to keep these groups of produce apart. And never keep produce in a sealed bag—let ‘em breathe!

Storing your fruits and veggies isn’t just about spoilage prevention. It also prevents food waste. Did you know that 30 to 40 percent of what is grown and raised in the U.S. rots or is thrown away? That means we essentially toss in the trash a large amount of our food. As farmers, we know the hard work that goes into producing food. We consider it part of our job to help educate our friends and neighbors about the importance of agriculture. So we hope we’ve helped you learn how to keep your food fresh longer. Here’s to more in your belly, and less in the trash!

There’s a lot to be happy about in June. Our strawberry fields are filled with smiling faces and a new berry crop is ready to roll. Did you know June is Great Outdoors Month? It seems fitting that the month with the first official day of summer is also a time to celebrate all the fun that can be had under the sun.

Here at Orr’s, we have a great love for the outdoors. After all, that’s where we spend most of our time and where our crops grow. Since food is our livelihood, it’s no surprise that our favorite summer combo is food+fun. No matter what you’re doing, you have to eat, and in the summertime it’s so easy to incorporate food into your outdoor plans. Where you live and even your mood will guide your choice of outdoor activities. If you’re near a river or a lake and want a relaxing afternoon, pack a picnic lunch and a book and find a quiet spot on the bank. Turn off your phone but keep the camera ready: With a quick look at your surroundings, you’re bound to discover photo-worthy bits of nature. Once you get home, go back through your photos and choose one to print and frame.

If you’re landlocked and looking to get your blood pumping, grab a friend or two, fill your backpacks with drinks and snacks, and head to a park, the forest, or a trail on two feet or your favorite set of wheels—bicycle, four-wheeler, skateboard, roller skates—whatever gets you moving! Since you’ll be on the move for a couple hours, you’ll need to boost your energy with healthy foods. Good choices include nuts, berries, avocados, whole-wheat crackers, hummus, or nut butters.

While celebrating the great outdoors, it brings to mind the heart of our operations here at Orr’s Farm Market: Being good stewards of the land. Since our founding in 1954, we’ve continued to educate ourselves on the best farming methods. Along the way, we’ve implemented changes to help us farm in a sustainable manner. Sustainability allows us to continue farming on land that provides nutrients and with pest-management practices that impart minimal impact on the soil and crops. In turn, this allows us to continue providing you the best berries and meats. We consider it our responsibility to maintain a farm that takes into account the health of the land, the workers, and the consumers.

Whether it’s farming or enjoying your favorite activity, one thing’s for sure: The outdoors is truly great. Here’s to a fun-filled, berry-stained June!